Case Number 07232

LA FEMME NIKITA: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON

The Charge

"I was falsely accused of a hideous crime and sentenced to life in
prison. One night, I was taken from my cell to a place called Section One, the
most convert, anti-terrorist group on the planet. Their ends are just, but their
means are ruthless. If I don't play by their rules, I die." -- Nikita (Peta
Wilson)

Opening Statement

In 1997, the USA Television network aired a series based on the Luc Besson
masterpiece, Nikita (AKA La Femme Nikita). At its core, La
Femme Nikita is about a woman trapped by circumstance and forced to prove
herself time and again. Nikita, intricately played by Peta Wilson (The League
of Extraordinary Gentleman), finds herself trying to save the planet and
herself in La Femme Nikita: The Complete Second Season.

Facts of the Case

The Spy Game isn't a pleasant one. Nikita and fellow agent, Michael (Roy
Dupuis, Bleeders), run the risk of death, deceit, and betrayal on a daily
basis. Led by the calculating Operations (Eugene Robert Glazer, I'm Gonna Get
You, Sucka), Section One runs one efficient, steely ship. Operations
controls to his fullest extent what and who he can, often becoming protagonist
and antagonist simultaneously. Throw in über-interrogator Madeline (Alberta
Watson, 24), and the clandestine hub of espionage becomes a good deal
scarier and darker.

This season picks up shortly after the first season, as Section One thinks
Nikita died in the line of duty. One of their agents knows what really happened
to Nikita, much to his own personal risk.

Spread out over six discs, the episodes included this season are:

* "Hard Landing" Nikita is hiding out. Unfortunately, her
whereabouts are brought to Section One's attention in the worst way: they think
she might have sold them out.

* "Spec Ops" Back in action, Nikita must adjust to her new
gig.

* "Third Person" A team of terrorists force Nikita back into
the field.

* "Approaching Zero" Nikita vs. more terrorists over a
satellite.

* "New Regime" Nikita gets a promotion. But is it in her
best interests or someone else's?

* "Mandatory Refusal" Section One chooses favorites when
both Michael and Madeline's life are endangered.

* "Half Life" Michael's forced to choose between friendship,
love, and The Job.

* "Darkness Visible" Nikita endangers a mission when her
emotions get the better of her.

* "Open Heart" Nikita and an enemy team up to save
themselves. You know, it's that episode where the main character and her target
have to put aside their differences for survival. Gina Torres (Firefly)
guest stars.

* "Off Profile" Michael's libido endangers Section One and
his relationship with Nikita.

* "Last Night"War Games (or Electric Love),
Nikita style.

* "In Between" Nikita is forced to choose between the
conflicting agendas of Operations and Madeline to save the life of a man.

* "Adrian's Garden" When chickens come home to destroy their
roost, Nikita has to choose between The Job and Michael. This happens a lot this
year.

* "End Game" The best episode of the season pits Nikita
against Michael, showing, once and for all, how thin the line is between love
and hate.

The Evidence

The world of Nikita and Section One is fascinating, set in the near future.
The technology in Nikita never quite seems more than a couple of years
away. It is sophisticated and cold -- very much an ongoing element of the
series. I enjoyed that the show was grounded in an approximate reality and
didn't stray too far into the fantastic. I don't see holographic maps everyday,
but I know they're coming.

The show is wonderfully cast -- with the exception of Roy Dupuis. Peta
Wilson was a great choice to carry the show. She gets to act aloof as Nikita,
with some room to stretch undercover. She manages to keep her emotions just on
the brim, which works very well for her character. Operations is probably the
best of the lot. I don't know how he does it, but Glazer manages to make himself
one of the most riveting bastards on series on television. It's clear that he is
his job.

The storylines get slightly repetitive, but the writers manage to give each
episode its own spin on things. The best part of the season was how the writers
managed to focus on Nikita, Michael, and their doomed relationship. While not
entirely subtle, making the romantic leads into rivals makes for good
television. Unfortunately, it was hurt by Dupuis.

Special features include deleted scenes with commentary, commentary on two
episodes, and a blooper/gag reel. I applaud the extremely talented Mario Cassar
(24) for his candidness. He is open about why things didn't work and why
certain choices were made. Instead of applauding everyone, he takes a
refreshingly critical stance.

The show is presented in its fullframe format. While the video transfer
looks good, it looks its age and is slightly muted. Thankfully, the Dolby
Surround pounds out nicely from the speakers.

The Rebuttal Witnesses

Oddly enough, its cold nature acts as the show's worst enemy. So much of what
goes on appears removed and muted. I understand why an entire network of spies
does not cry or wallow in melodrama, but most of the emotion is so underplayed
that it is almost not there. Imagine the Ayn Rand spy school.

Roy Dupuis hurts the series. His acting, or lack thereof, will tear the
strongest scene to shreds. A cardboard stand-in would probably have been just as
effective. He delivers his line with stiffness. He lacks energy. It completely
kills any suspension of disbelief when trying to figure out what Nikita finds in
him.

I was personally disappointed by the show producers' decision to make Nikita
wrongly accused. Nikita's growth is limited by not having to redeem herself.
More of her character could have been explored starting from a far darker
beginning.

Closing Statement

La Femme Nikita is a series I regret missing all these years. I
thought it was hokey and cheap -- instead it is a great action series with a
terrific cast (except for Dupuis). While at times repetitive, La Femme
Nikita is deserving of greater respect. I feel I just missed the party.

The Verdict

The court finds La Femme Nikita: The Complete Second Season guilty of
escaping my notice all these years. Here's one series I hope to see in my court
again.